UND Law Hits the Ice for Annual Hockey Showdown

The second annual Law Student & Faculty Hockey Game brought together 21 students and 4 professors.

In what is becoming a fun annual tradition, 21 law students and 4 law professors set aside the law books for a few hours to lace up the skates, put on the pads, and get out the clipboards for some friendly competition of hockey skill and “chirping.”

Team Tortfeasors came away with a narrow 6-5 victory after fending off a last-minute push by team Process Servers, which drew the all-time record between the two teams to an even 1-1. The event is organized by the UND Law Sports Law Student Association (SLSA). This year, students Victoria Stutsky (President of SLSA) and Ashton Olin (Vice President of SLSA) spent months planning the details for the event, which allows the UND Law community to enjoy a fun evening of community building. Joseph Doda (3L) and Cameron Rheault (3L) served as team captains and built their teams through a competitive draft process.

After more than 80 students attended last year’s inaugural game, the game once again brought together many students from each graduating class, staff, and faculty. Some brought family and others brought signs to show their team allegiances. Stutsky commented that “the second annual professor–student hockey game has become one of the highlights of our year—it’s a chance to bring our law school community together in a completely different setting and have some fun. Being able to raise money for our student organization makes it even more meaningful since SLSA has never received any kind of funding. Seeing professors and students share the ice and have a friendly competition really captures what SLSA is all about!” Olin echoed those remarks: “The second year of this event proved to be a great success. The UND Law community is truly remarkable and we as the board of SLSA feel privileged that we get to contribute to the community. I look forward to continuing this event next year and continue building this annual tradition.”

Professor Nikola Datzov, who teaches the 1L torts class, fittingly played for team Tortfeasors. Professor James Grijalva, a former UND Law intramural hockey legend in his own right, served as the coach for the Tortfeasors and masterminded the team to victory. Professor Blake Klinkner, who teaches Civil Procedure in the first year, was behind the bench for the Process Servers with his trademark clipboard and UND Law coaching hat (who some say hides his secret playbook). Professor Erick Resek, playing as goalie for Process Servers, volunteered—perhaps as the bravest law professor in the country—to have some of his students fire hardened pieces of rubber at him a mere few weeks before finals week.

“It was a lot of fun. The game is a perfect illustration of the phenomenal level of collegiality present within our community at UND Law. I’m grateful to the students for inviting me to participate. Hopefully my minimal contributions on the ice don’t undermine what I hope are more meaningful contributions in the classroom,” remarked Professor Datzov after the event.